Quins 13 Braves 17
Harlequins 13
Exeter Braves 17
Mark Stevens at The Stoop
Exeter Braves made it ‘five from five’ in this season’s Premiership Rugby Shield, producing a hard-fought victory against Harlequins at The Stoop.
Tries from Onehunga Kaufusi and Billy Keast, plus seven points from the boot of fly-half Harvey Skinner, proved sufficient enough for the visitors to see off the experienced Londoners.
In reply, George Head claimed the home side’s only try, which was converted by Dimitri Catrakilis, who also slotted two penalties on the night.
Having arrived in the capital unbeaten after four rounds, it was a largely youthful Braves side that took to the field at The Stoop.Academy youngsters Billy Keast, Marcus Street, Rus Tuima, Cory Teague, Flynn Elworthy and skipper James McRae all line-up in the visiting pack, while behind there was more experience with Olly Woodburn - back from a hamstring injury - joining Max Bodilly and James Short in the back three.
Harlequins, meanwhile, had a healthy mix of youth and experience within their ranks - and they started the contest brightly, setting the early attacking tone with a series of raids deep within the Exeter half.
The Braves, though, held firm, producing a strong defensive line that not only thwarted the home side’s advances, but gave them little space to work with. In the end, they not only kept their rivals at bay, but also won turnover possession which they were able to use to position themselves at the other end of the field.
A big carry from Tongan international Kaufusi made decent headway through the middle, the ball was recycled right to Bodilly, but after he was felled the hosts were pinged for infringing at the resultant ruck. Skinner kicked the ball to the corner, the Braves worked space for Elvis Taione off the line-out and although the hooker was held just short, his compatriot was close at hand to barge his way over for the opening score, converted by Skinner.
Minutes later and the Braves were back in a similar position with another five-metre line-out, but this time they could not make their pressure pay dividends as Harlequins scrambled sufficiently in defence to hold up Exeter centre Tom Hendrickson on the line.
The Londoners made the most of the let-off, going from defence into attack in an instant.A soft penalty given up by the Braves allowed Catrakilis to kick deep into the Braves 22, whereby it was the home side’s turn to grab the try from a line-out, Head the scorer when he peeled off from a driving maul.
Fly-half Catrakilis added the extras to ensure maximum reward, before he fired his side in front shortly after with a lengthy penalty after the Braves were pulled up by referee Joe James for playing the ball on the floor.
Both sides had chances to add their tally before the interval, but the scoreboard remained untouched as strong defence, coupled with the occasional handling errors, foiled their attempts to score.
HALF TIME HARLEQUINS 10 EXETER BRAVES 7
Into the second half and it was Harlequins who were able to stretch their lead when Catrakilis landed another lengthy penalty, given this time for Keast holding on after the Braves had turned over a home line-out.
It was a tough call on Keast, but the Braves did not let it affect them too much. Instead, they regrouped quickly and were soon on the offensive, looking to claw back the six-point deficit.
Controlling both possession and territory, Pellow’s side were making decent inroads into the home 22. However, they were unable to find that final thrust to the line, either thwarted by some stout home defence, or just choosing to take the wrong option at the key stage.
Undeterred, they continued to push forward and having set themselves up nicely again following quickfire penalties, the Braves used their industrious pack of forwards to drive Keast over for their second converted score of the night.
Back in front of the contest, it was a lead they were not willing to let slip.Instead, they went in search of further reward, extending their lead on 69 minutes when Skinner slotted a routine penalty after the hosts were adjudged to have held on in the tackle.
At the other end, Harlequins looked for an immediate response.Catrakilis’ clever chip over the top fell into the grasp of centre Ben Tapuai, but after he released Charlie Walker at pace, the Chiefs somehow did enough to halt the speedster’s charge.
Harlequins continued to press forward in the dying moments, but again the white wall of Exeter’s defence held firm.Young prop Alfie Petch underlined their desire with a succession of double-tackles, while skipper McRae was never too far away from the heart of the action.
The victory means the Devonians not only maintain their unbeaten tag, but it sets them up nicely for Saturday’s trip to Bath in their latest Shield assignment.
Harlequins: R Chisholm; A Alofa, H Cheeseman (M Coyle 61), B Tapuai, C Walker; D Catrakilis, N Saunders (C Waters 61); N Auterac (M Lambert 53), G Head (J Musk 50), P Swainston; S South, G Hammond; J Kenningham (N Brown 76), L Wallace, A White (capt). Replacements: (not used): J Ibuanokpe, H Barlow
Try - Head; Conversion - Catrakilis; Penalties - Catrakilis (2)
Exeter Braves: M Bodilly; J Short, H Strong (S Cornish 40), T Hendrickson, O Woodburn (D Thorne 70); H Skinner, J Snow; B Keast (J Kenny 73), E Taione (M Norey 73), M Street (A Petch 73); R Tuima, C Teague (J Clemson 58); O Kaufusi, F Elworthy (L Pearson 44), J McRae (capt). Replacement (not used): J Tait.
Tries - Kaufusi, Keast; Conversions - H Skinner (2); Penalty - H Skinner
Referee: J James
Attendance: 300